*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Dennis Hatsell
Appearances: 95 Goals: 27
Date / Year of birth: 9th June 1930
Position: Striker / Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1962/63
Season of last appearance: 1964/65
Also played for: Preston North End (122,58), Chelmsford City and Gravesend & Northfleet
Versatile Sheffield-born player who moved from Yorkshire to Lancashire as a seven year-old, settling with his family in Preston. Dennis played little competitive football during his schooldays due to the Second World War and on leaving school he became an apprentice pattern-maker.
At that time he began playing local junior football with great success and in 1945 Preston North End signed Dennis as an amateur. His elder brother was already on the club's books. On his 17th birthday in June 1947 Dennis became a part-time professional and two years later he became a full-time pro having completed his pattern-making apprenticeship.
He went on to make 122 first team appearances for Preston, then an established 1st Division side, spanning the 1953/54-1959/60 campaigns and scored 58 goals during that time. Dennis was second choice centre-forward to the legendary Tom Finney for several seasons and at one stage he did so well as Finney's understudy that when the England star returned from injury Dennis kept his place with Finney moving out to the left wing. In 1958 he played for an FA X1 against the RAF at Highbury.
In July 1960 Dennis joined Chelmsford having been transfer listed by Preston with an asking price of £10,000. He made the decision to drop out of the Football League as he was struggling with a knee problem and could also earn more playing for a non-league club due to the maximum wage rule applying to the Football League but not non-league football.
He went on to make 73 first team appearances for Chelmsford and a further 29 for the reserves. Dennis scored 28 goals despite being hampered by injury for much of his time at the club.
In May 1963 Dennis was released by Chelmsford having scored 14 times in 34 games during 1962/63 and immediately signed for Margate. He made his debut in a 2-0 win at Dover on 8.5.63 and scored his first goals for the club when he got two in a 3-1 win at Tunbridge Wells on 15.5.63. Dennis ended the campaign having scored three goals in five appearances for Margate.
Dennis then really established himself during the 1963/64 season and scored 16 times in 46 appearances. His goals included a low 20 yard effort in a 1-1 draw with Dartford on 29.2.64 and a 30 yard strike in a 4-4 draw at Bexley on 30.4.64. That goal was part of a hat-trick that Dennis scored during the match. His clever play and hard work made him one of the club's star players during the season and Dennis spent much of his time playing in midfield, as well as featuring as a striker.
During the 1964/65 season Dennis made a further 44 appearances and scored eight goals, once again dividing his time between midfield and attack. He also played a game at centre-back during the campaign. On 6.10.64 Dennis scored a superb solo goal in a 5-1 defeat at Ramsgate, beating two players before firing home from 20 yards. However on 14.12.64 he broke his jaw in a game against Dover and was out for a month as a result. At the end of the season Dennis was released and he joined Gravesend & Northfleet in May 1965.
He made 15 appearances for the Fleet during 1965/66 and scored once before constant injury problems forced him to retire in 1966. Dennis was awarded £385 from the Southern League Benevolent Fund as a result of his retirement.
He died in Basildon, Essex on 1.1.98 aged 67.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
KFC | |
|
1962/63 (MFC) |
5 (66) |
N/A |
3 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 20) |
1R |
SF |
RU |
W |
W |
| Margate won Southern League Division One title and promoted to Premier Division. | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
KFC | |
|
1963/64 (MFC) |
46 (60) |
N/A |
16 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (17TH OF 22) |
1R |
2R |
2R |
1R |
GR |
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFL |
| |
|
1964/65 (MFC) |
44 (71) |
N/A |
8 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (6TH OF 22) |
4QR |
2R |
3R |
GR |
|